The Pixies' released their third album Doolittle in the spring of 1989 and it
instantly became their second classic album in a row. Unlike the
diamond-in-the-rough nature of Surfer Rosa, produced by noise-rock's Steve
Albini, Doolittle is instantly listenable and is the most widely popular Pixies
album. Opening with the eyeball-slicing exploits and manic energy of "Debaser",
the album scores song after song. Though not as abrasive as their previous
record, Doolittle is every bit as quirky. One glance at the song titles will
tell you that: "Debaser", "Wave of Mutilation", "Monkey Gone to Heaven". "Crackity
Jones", etc. The standout songs include "Debaser", "Here Comes Your Man"
(released as a single), "Monkey Gone to Heaven", "No. 13 Baby", and "There Goes
My Gun". The more accessible sound of Doolittle along with the release of two
videos to promote the singles established the Pixies as a minor player on the
edge of the pop mainstream, while they kept their indie credibility. Doolittle
is one of their finest efforts.

"Kurt Cobain himself acknowledged the Pixies' influence on the soft/loud dynamic that powered "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Doolittle is a mix of the band's earlier hardcore storms, Black Francis' self-described "stream of unconsciousness" rants and the strange melodicism that flowered in his Frank Black solo records." - www.rollingstone.com

"Numerology, sludge in the ocean, a hole in the sky — what's it all supposed to mean? Said Francis (a.k.a. Frank Black), 'The phrase 'monkey gone to heaven' just sounds neat.' Norton [producer] cleaned up the band's sound, adding the eerie strings, but the Pixies didn't bother to try for pop appeal. Said Francis, 'It wasn't like we thought we'd get played on the radio.'" - Rolling Stone